David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. Sinn Féin supports the Bill. My party has not tabled amendments at this point, but we are considering a number of possible amendments which we may table in the Dáil. We support the Bill because any measure which leads to the State saving considerable amounts of money must be welcomed.

I support the notion of putting in place clear and detailed guidelines setting out the criteria to be used in deciding why drugs will either be added or not added to the reimbursement list. I await the Minister of State's reply as to why that may not be possible. In the interests of transparency and accountability, it would be good if people were informed of the exact criteria that would apply. In that context, it would be welcome if guidelines such as those suggested in the amendment were published. I highlight the fact that we intended to table amendments in respect of this matter and that we may well do so either on Report Stage in this House or in the Dáil. I endorse the amendment tabled by Senator Mark MacSharry, the logic behind which is to achieve greater transparency in the system.